Why your team happy hour may not be as inclusive as you think

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After-work gatherings or team happy hours that involve alcohol may seem like a great way for colleagues to bond, connect, and let loose. But what many leaders fail to realize is just how many of their employees may be in recovery from alcohol addiction.

According to 2023 data, about 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. struggle with alcohol addiction, yet alcohol is routinely made part of company gatherings that are very often mandatory, or at least highly encouraged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “Recovering co-workers may want to avoid alcohol use but might experience social exclusion at work for not participating.” In fact, alcohol is so ingrained in our culture that many organizations have made explicit statements that they hire people based on whether they would like to have a beer with the candidate.